Santa Fe man suspected of driving recklessly in stolen vehicle, prompting shootings
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Authorities reported an officer-involved shooting in Santa Fe on Sunday.
The New Mexico State Police claimed the Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) was given information about a stolen vehicle around 2 a.m., and about 7 hours later, the owner was sharing tracking information with officials.
The vehicle was found at the McDonald’s near Cerrillos Road and St. Francis Drive, but it fled when officers tried to perform a traffic stop. Officers did not pursue the vehicle.
Later on, a deputy with the sheriff’s office tried to stop the vehicle, but it fled again. Officers, once again, did not pursue the vehicle as it was near where the parade was staging. Officials were alerted that the vehicle was recklessly driving.
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NMSP identified the suspect as Justin Jimenez, 21, of Santa Fe. They alleged he “plowed through barricades” by Sheridan Avenue and hit a portable toilet. Near Nusbaum Street, an officer-involved shooting took place while police were trying to make contact with him. He reportedly fled toward Palace Avenue and Nusbaum Street, and another officer-involved shooting happened.
“I had the door open, and people ran in with a little child,” said JJ Justice, Owner of J Justice Necessities, a store near the area where the incident happened.
“It really shut down everything around here, especially businesses today,” said Candace Leigh, Owner of sage Botanical.
Two more officer-involved shootings took place in different areas, and the vehicle finally stopped near East Palace Avenue and Canyon Road. Jimenez was taken into custody and hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Many witnesses we spoke with praised law enforcements response to the incident. The shooting happened while Santa Fe’s Fiesta was in full swing, shutting the event down early. Fiesta Council officials say they want people to know it wasn’t a targeted instance.
“The only thing that we are wanting to be clear [about], is that this was an isolated incident that happened near the Fiesta staging area, but it was not directed toward Fiesta,” said Krstyle Lucero, President of the Santa Fe Fiesta Council.
Business owners in the area also were hit hard, as foot traffic slowed down with the road closures. They say Sundays are one of their most consistent days, but after the shooting, some shops in the plaza saw only a fraction of the customers they would normally see.
“It’s already really tough that they shut the streets down for every market, fiesta, parade,” Leigh explained.
In a city known for its quiet style of living, some residents and business owners are hoping incidents like this stay out of Santa Fe. This is the second shooting in the city, since Zachary Babitz killed 83-year-old Gordon Wilson at a Best Buy and stole his vehicle.
“I’m comfortable during the day, and I really love seeing all the police here because it seems like they were right on top of it, but I’m definitely going to keep my eyes open, since this is the second incident in a few weeks,” said Jody Jamison, a Santa Fe resident.
“If people want to come travel to Santa Fe, and then there’s the thought of, oh, something bad might happen, and continually happens… it definitely doesn’t bring a good energy, or good business at all, to any of us,” said Diego Varela, a barista at Agapao Coffee, near the area where the incident took place.
Authorities are still investigating.
The governor released a statement following the incident. Read it below.
I want to thank all local law enforcement for their swift and effective response. A suspect is in custody, and no members of the public were harmed. I condemn violence on the streets of Santa Fe, or anywhere else in our state or nation, in the strongest possible terms.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
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